Kevin Sullivan was the executive director and producer

The Canadian Broadcasting company arranged for Kevin Sullivan to be the executive director and producer, as well as Lee Polk, and Ian McDougall. Beloved Anne Shirley was played by Megan Follows who also took on the role as Anne in the many sequels. Siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, Annes dearly loved guardians, were performed by Richard Farnsworth and Colleen Dewhurst. Patricia Hamilton was cast as nosey Rachel Lynde, while Schuyler Grant, the niece of Katharine Hepburn, was cast as sweet Diana Barry. Oh course one can not forget the dashing Gilbert Blythe who was played by Jonathan Crombie. This thrilling film was done off of a budget know by the producers only.

The movie starts out identically to the book, with Rachel Lynde spying Matthew headed to town in his Sunday suit, and the nice black buggy. This first scene sets up many characters profiles, such as Anne, Marilla, Matthew, and Rachel. Kevin Sullivan was able to portray Rachel as the old gossip who is always put together, and whose husband is a quiet, old fellow that never says a word. Sullivan is able to exhibit multiple activities at the same time. For example, while Rachel is drilling Marilla with questions about orphan children, Anne is dreamily sitting at the train station. Annes first introduction shows her to be an innocent child that romanticizes anything and everything. The first conflict appears when tonguetied Matthew reaches the station and is confronted with a girl. Not a boy like they wanted, but a girl. Poor Matthew has to talk to a girl, until he realizes that Anne will talk to a tree and be perfectly happy. Matthew takes Anne home to Marilla, who has heard all about how orphan child are wicked murderers. Sullivan did a beautiful job of showing how Matthew fell in love with Anne on the journey back to Green Gables. Matthews little smile here, yes or no there, and a final giddyup exhibits his growing love of chatty, imaginative Anne. As the story progresses, Marilla wants to send Anne back because she is not a boy, but Matthew wants to keep her. Parallel to the book, Anne is put on trial, much to her thankfulness. Anne has been orphaned since she was just a babe, and has hated living in orphanages and caring for other peoples nasty children; so Anne is ready to prove herself worthy of Marillas love and care. Annes first young friend is Diana Barry. Diana is sweet, slightly dumb, and a bosom friend. Sullivan has Anne and Diana meet at an icecream social where Anne instantly becomes the leader of the twosome. Did I mention that Annes hair is a deep, bright red? Or that her nose is generously sprinkled with freckles? Well, when you watch this movie, director Sullivan makes sure to show how Anne absolutely despises her red hair and sprinkling of freckles. This fun fact leads us into the meeting of Gilbert Blythe, the dashing young scholar who might end up as something more than just a mean boy to Anne. Annes fiery red hair also comes with a temper, especially when someone calls her Carrots. Breaking a slate over Gilberts head is only just one of the many incidents that establish Annes temper, sweet personality, ambition, and romantic thoughts. The movie captures you and draws you into the beautiful setting of Prince Edward Island as you watch Anne struggle through apologizing to snoopy Rachel Lynde, dying her hair green, getting her best friend drunk, topping Josie Pye, and of course beating Gilbert in everything. Over all, Kevin Sullivan does a magnificent job of taking L.M. Montgomerys lessons, and teaching young girls that beauty and looks are not everything, and love and friendships will never die even when separated. This film teaches young girls that even when you have lost someone, there is always room for improvement. In Annes case, she matured and took time off from school to provide for Marilla.

This worldrenowned feature has captivated young and old girls alike. Anne and the Avonlea community are easy to connect with, causing millions of people to adore this classic film. Audience and critics alike having been raving about this movie for the past thirty years, causing many adaptions to take place. As an avid reader of L.M. Montgomerys Anne Series, I truly appreciate the work of art that Kevin Sullivan and the Canadian Broadcasting Company has put together. I enjoyed how the movie stayed true to the literature, the time period, and the overall characters. I believe that every young girl should at least watch this movie once, because I know that when they do, they will fall in love with it, just as I have. Although I will warn moviegoers, that the more adaptations there are, the more it tends to stray from the original work. Yet, the 1985 version of Anne of Green Gables will always be dear to my heart, because of the style and authenticity that has been put into it.

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